Rat Model of Quadriceps Contracture by Joint Immobilization
Issued Date
2022-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20797737
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85144917275
Journal Title
Biology
Volume
11
Issue
12
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Biology Vol.11 No.12 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Suwankanit K., Shimizu M. Rat Model of Quadriceps Contracture by Joint Immobilization. Biology Vol.11 No.12 (2022). doi:10.3390/biology11121781 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/83067
Title
Rat Model of Quadriceps Contracture by Joint Immobilization
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Muscle contracture is an abnormal pathologic process resulting in fibrosis and muscle atrophy, which can lead to limitation of joint motion. To establish a diagnostic method to detect muscle contracture and a method to control its progression, we investigated an appropriate method to create an animal model of quadriceps contracture using rats. Eighteen Wistar rats were divided into three groups, and bilateral hindlimbs were immobilized with either a cast (Group I), a Velcro hook-and-loop fastener (Group V), or steel wire (Group S) with the knee and ankle joints in extension position for two weeks. Five rats in a control group (Group C) were not immobilized. After two weeks, the progression of quadriceps contracture was assessed by measuring the range of joint motion and pathohistological changes. Muscle atrophy and fibrosis were observed in all immobilization groups. The knee joint range of motion, quadriceps muscle weight, and muscle fiber size decreased only in Group S compared to the other immobilization groups. Stress on rats due to immobilization was less in Group S. These results indicate that Group S is the superior quadriceps contracture model. This model aids research investigating diagnostic and therapeutic methods for muscle contracture in humans and animals.